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BRTC offers several options to help students continue their education by offering financial assistance. Students may receive college employment opportunities, loans, scholarships, grants, or a combination of these types of aid. All financial aid forms, as well as information about each program, are available online at the Financial Aid website.
Tuition and fees for classes must be paid for or arrangements must be made by the deadline each semester. Failure to do so will cause the student to be dropped from all classes.
Federal Financial Aid Programs
Students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online so students’ eligibility for all federal funding can be determined. There are two kinds of federal funding available: grants and loans.
Grants are based on need and do not have to be paid back.
- Eligibility is based on the results of the FAFSA
- The maximum award amount for 2016-2017 is $5,815 or $2,908/semester as a full-time student. Any hours less than full-time will decrease eligibility amount.
- Eligibility amount is constant regardless of where the student goes to college
- If grant amount covers the tuition costs, any funds remaining will be refunded to the student for educationally related expenses
Note: Pell grant eligibility maximum usually increases each year by a minimal amount but not likely to decrease from the above amount.
Federal loans are low-interest loans that must be repaid.
- Eligibility is based on results of the FAFSA
- Funds are guaranteed by the Federal Government and borrowed from the U.S. Government
- There are two types of loans:
- subsidized
- unsubsidized
- Interest rates are variable every academic year, with a rate cap at 8.25%
- Repayment begins 6 months after graduation. Payments are deferred if a student maintains enrollment of at least 6 credits/semester excluding summers.
- Students may receive federal aid ONLY for those classes within their degree plan
- Financial aid offices are required to have a Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. BRTC requires students to maintain a 2.0 term and cumulative GPA
- Students must work on one degree at a time to be eligible for financial aid.
The following process is required to apply for financial aid.
- Complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov
. - Notification of Eligibility
- You will receive a SAR (student aid report) from the U.S. Department of Education
- BRTC Financial Aid office will mail you a letter to indicate we have received your application results
- Complete and return any enclosed forms immediately
- FA office will determine your federal aid eligibility (grants and loans) and mail you an AWARD LETTER
- Aid awarded is to be first applied to tuition, fees, and books
- Any unused eligibility that semester will be refunded to you
- ALL awarded aid can be reviewed any time by accessing Campus Connect
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- Refund Checks
- ALL refund checks will be mailed to the student’s current address on file
- A message will be posted on Campus Connect indicating the refund has been mailed
- An email will be sent to student’s BRTC email account indicating the refund has been mailed. Instructions to activate the student email account can be found on the Check Email page of the BRTC website.
- PELL grant refunds are processed, if one is due, and mailed approximately 4 to 6 weeks from the beginning of the semester. For students who did not complete the FAFSA within time to be included on the first issuance of refunds, additional disbursements will follow once per month.
. - Student loan refunds are processed approximately the 4th week of class each semester. Loans are issued in two (2) equal disbursements per semester. Dates for loans each semester are always posted on the Financial Aid Office section of BRTC’s website. Refunds for loans requested after a semester has begun are processed once per month.
. - ALL other refunds will be processed as BRTC receives funds from the funding sources.
The Federal Government requires students receiving Title IV (federal aid) funding MUST attend 60% of the semester before earning all aid received (ex. Pell). Student eligibility is based on results of the FAFSA
Scholarships
Many state-, publicly-, and privately-funded scholarships are available to students as well.
All scholarship information available by BRTC may be accessed at https://blackrivertech.org/financial-aid/scholarship-opportunties.
Career Pathways
The BRTC Career Pathways program provides financial assistance with books, tuition, childcare, gasoline, obtaining a GED/Certificate/Degree, and possible job placement upon completion for those who meet the criteria.
Payment Plans
myBRTC Online Payment Plans
BRTC provides easy online payment through your MYBRTC account.
BRTC’s online payment plans break down the amount you owe into monthly payments that are payable online. The earlier you enroll, the smaller your required down payment will be. For more information visit the payment plan website.
Pay Bill Online
Credit or Debit Card:
All credit/debit card transactions are assessed a 2.35% service fee with a $1.00 minimum. (Assessed fees effective 11/5/2020.)
Web Check:
All e-check transactions are assessed a $1.25 service fee. (Assessed fees effective 11/5/2020.)
Pay your bill online through your MYBRTC account with a debit, credit card, or an electronic check. For more information or instructions on how to pay online click here.
If you have questions regarding financial assistance, contact one of the Financial Aid staff members.